Canada Mayflower (Maianthemum canadense)

Difficulty: ⭐⭐☆☆☆
(Relatively easy — spreads by shallow, running rhizomes that are easy to segment and replant)

Best Time for Division:

Early fall — typically September through October, after berries are ripened and foliage begins to decline
Alternative: Very early spring, just before new shoots emerge

Signs Plant is Ready:

• Foliage is fading or has fully died back

• Soil is moist and workable

• Rhizomes are visible beneath the leaf litter or just below the surface

Tip: Mark dense patches in spring for easier fall relocation.

Division Steps:

1. Gently dig up a small clump from the edge of a colony

2. Shake off excess soil and locate the running rhizomes — pale, thin, and shallow

3. Cut sections of rhizome that are 2–4 inches long, ideally with a visible bud or shoot node

4. Replant rhizome pieces just beneath the soil surface, 6–8 inches apart

5. Water gently and mulch with leaf litter or pine needles

Note: It may take a full season or more for new foliage to emerge and colonies to thicken.